Jack Archer eBook

The next morning all were instructed in the use of
the Russian muskets, many of the peasants being wholly
unacquainted with the management of fire-arms.
It was arranged that each peasant should, in addition
to his gun, carry his scythe, his favorite weapon for
close conflict.

When night came on all was ready for the march.
The bands were to advance separately, each under orders
of its own leader, and were to unite in the market-place
as the clock struck one. There were three barracks,
and a certain proportion were told off for the attack
of each. Three of the guns were hidden in the
forest. The other three, each drawn by four horses,
accompanied the column, the duty assigned to them
being to blow in the gates of the several barracks.
Coarse grass was cut and swathed round the wheels,
and the horses’ feet were also muffled.
The peasants were all clad in sandals, and there was
therefore no fear of the noise of their advance being
heard.

At nine o’clock the column set out for the town,
which was nine miles distant, and upon nearing it
separated, so as to enter as arranged in different
directions. Each column was preceded at a distance
of some hundred yards by four or five men, chosen
for their activity, their duty being to seize and
silence any watchmen they might meet in the streets.

The town seemed absolutely asleep when the band of
Stanislas, with which for the time were the three
cannon, entered it a few minutes before one.

Once the lads thought that they could hear a stifled
cry, but if so it attracted no attention, for the
streets were deserted, and not a single window opened
as they passed. The other hands had already arrived
in the market-place when that commanded by Stanislas
reached it.

A few words were exchanged by the leaders, a gun told
off to each column, and the bands started to their
respective destinations. The contingent of Count
Stanislas, to which Jack Archer was attached with
his gun, was intended to attack the principal barrack.
This was built in the form of a large quadrangle,
and contained some seven or eight hundred infantry
and a battery of artillery.

As the head of the column entered the street leading
to the gate, a sentry on the outside challenged.
No answer was made, and a moment later a gun was fired.

There was no longer any need for concealment, and
with a wild cheer the column rushed forward.
Some of the men threw themselves with axes upon the
postern gate, which the sentry had entered and closed
behind him.

The gun, which was close to the head of the column,
was brought up and placed in position within a few
feet of the gate, its muzzle directed towards the
lock. The explosion tore a hole in the gate, but
a massive bar still kept this in its place. Another
discharge broke this also, and the Poles with exulting
shouts surged in.

As they entered, a scattered fire opened upon them
from the windows, but, without pausing, the band broke
up into parties, each under its chief, and rushed
at the entrances leading to the staircases.